Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

Even a small book owes its existence to many more people than the one whose name appears as author. I am immensely grateful to the other writers who jumped in to help complete this book and who contributed a great deal to the text: Laura Monsen, Jo Ellen Shires, Ira Brown, Gus Cicala, Helen Feddema, and Joe Habracken. Rick Kughen has done a masterful job of ferreting out the meaning I intended and tactfully suggesting that clarity is considered a virtue by Sam's readers. Technical errors, though unintentional, are still a sin in technical writing. Henry Staples expertly pointed out the sins of both commission and of omission, and he even exorcised some of the devils found in the details. Those errors that remain are entirely my responsibility.

Writing, especially against intense deadlines, takes a toll on the writer's family. The family and pets always sacrifice more than the writer is aware of (even though occasional hints may be dropped from time to time). I know I speak for the other writers when I thank my family for their patience and forbearance. My wife, Gerlinde, could write her own book on the topic. Hopefully, she will leave it in private circulation.